IES Prez de Ayala 2nd ESO Technology

Topic 2 Mechanisims
1. Levers.

1.1 Definition.
Levers are mechanisims used to lift heavy
weights with the least amount of effort. In the
example beside, the heavy weight on the left
hand side is been lifted by the person because
of the lever. Notice that the longer the 'rod' the
easier it is to lift the weight.
1.2 Parts of a lever.
The fulcrum is the place where the rod pivots (or rotates). The load is the scientific name for the
weight. The effort is quite simply the amount of effort used to push down on the rod in order to move
the weight.

1.3 CLASSES OF LEVER

CLASS 1 CLASS 2 CLASS 3

fulcrum in the middle load in the middle effort in the middle

Example: see-saw Example: wheelbarrow Example: fishing rod

1.4 Levers law.

In a lever, it must be the same: In the example: 6m x 200 Kg = 2m x 600 Kg

a) the distance between the effort and the
fulcrum multiplied by the effort.
b) the distance between the load and the
fulcrum multiplied by the load.
De E = Dl L

Exercise 1.

The wheel-barrow in the picture is used to lift

a load of 150 Kg. The wheel acts as the
fulcrum. Calculate the effort required.

Exercise 2.

In the diagram below a crow-bar is used to

move a 400Kg load. What effort is required to
move the load?

Page 1/3
IES Prez de Ayala 2nd ESO Technology

Topic 2 Mechanisims
2. Pulleys.

2.1 Definition.

Pulley systems are mechanisims used when 2.2 Velocity ratio.

there is a need to transmit rotary motion.
The diagram below shows a simple system
comprised of two pulley wheels and a belt. It is
a simple mechanical device to winch up and
down a rope. When the motor is turned on it
revolves the driver pulley wheel. The belt
causes the driven pulley wheel to rotate as well,
winding out the rope.
To avoid sliping out, the belt is pulled tight
between the two pulley wheels (in tension).
The friction caused by this means that when the
driver rotates the driven follows.

The diagram opposite shows a small driver

pulley pulling round a larger driven pulley.

The rpm (revolutions per minute) of the larger

driven pulley wheel will be less than the
smaller driver pulley wheel.

Question. What will happen if the driver

pulley was larger than the driven pulley? The
speed of rotation of the driven pulley will be
faster or slower?

2.3 Working out the velocity ratio of pulleys.

The system shown opposite has a driver pulley
attached to a motor.
When the motor is switched on the driver
pulley revolves at 20 rpm. The diameter of the
driver pulley wheel is 200mm and the driven
pulley wheel is 400mm.
The ratio can be worked out with the
follwing formula:

Diameter Driver RPM Driven

=
Diameter Driven RPM Driver

In the example: 200mm/400mm = x / 20 rpm

x = RPM Driven = 10 rpm

Page 2/3
IES Prez de Ayala 2nd ESO Technology

Topic 2 Mechanisims
3. Gears.

3.1 Introduction.
Gears are mechanisims that can be found in many machines and they are often an important part of
mechanical devices. For example, in a car the gears help the driver to increase and decrease speed as
he/she changes the gears with the gear stick.

Question
Can you name and describe a mechanical device with gears, that you or your friends use ?

3.2 Definition.

A gear is a wheel shape mechanism that,

having teeth form, mesh with teeth in another
part to transmit or receive force and motion.
The gears opposite are an example of gears
that mesh together.
Gear A is called the driver because this is
turned by a motor. As gear A turns it meshes
with gear B and it begins to turn as well.
Gear B is called the driven gear.

3.3 Gears and gear systems

This is a good example of a gear train.

A gear train is usually made up of two or more
gears. The driver in this example is gear A. If
a motor turns gear A in an anticlockwise
direction; Which direction does gear B turn ?
Which direction does gear C turn ?
Question
Does gear C revolve faster or slower than
gear A ? - explain your answer.

3.4 Working out the velocity ratio of gears

The formula is the same we used with pulleys, changing the diameter of pulleys by the number of teeth.

Exercise 1.
A. Number of teeth: 40
B. Number of teeth: 25
A. RPM= 50 rmp
B. ? RMP

Page 3/3